Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-12-01
SOLDIERS HOME.
The Board of Managers
Visit Several Sites,
LUNCH AT SANTA MONICA
And Depart for San Diego Well
Pleased With What They
Had Seen.
SOLDIERS HOME.
LUNCH AT SANTA MONICA


yesterday morning to convey the man
ayers OF the National Soldiers Home
to the different tracts offered for the
establishment of Branch Home. Ii
was a bright sunny morning, and at
$50 three carriages, four-in-hand, and
several two-horse vehicles, carrying
all the members of the commission
and anumber of citizens, sped swiftly
through the broad avenues of the
southwestern suburbs out into the ur-
dulating hills of the Santa Monica
valley. At every turn the members
of the visiting board expressed sur
prise and delight They were often
heard to remark that Southern Cali
forna was indeed marvellous coun-
try and they confessed surprise.
The drive through Agricultural
Park and over Arlington Heights to
Inglewood was enjoyed by all. A
mile east of Inglewood the first halt
was made, and every one alighted to
take a general survey OF the country,
and particularly the tract offered by
Senator Jones and the citizens OF Los
Angeles.
The Board expressed themselves as
favorably impressed with the tract,
and indeed it is a beautiful spot, and
commands fine view OF Los An
geles, Santa Monica, Redondo Beach.
the shipping at San Pedro and grand
sweep of valley and mountains.
From this point the party drove to
the Woolfskill ranch, where it is con-
sidered, by all, the best and most
tempting proposition was made for
the "Home." At this place four and
a half miles northeast of Santa
Monica, 600 acres Of choice land has
been offered by the owners of the
Woolfskill and the San Vicente ranch.
Three hundred acres, valued at 500
per acre, the market price, is offered
from each tract, and sub
scription of $4,000 is guaran-
teed by the land owners in
Santa Monica and vicinity. The
Commission manifested more than
usual interest in this tract, and though
they carefully guarded against any ex-
preston pointing to their final decis-
ion; yet it was considered that this
last offer was the best. 1t seemed to
be pretty generally believed that
Southern California has offered greater
inducements, laying aside climate
and other advantages, than any Sec
ton in the State.
When the party arrived at the AR.
cadia Hotel. Santa Monica. they found
their arrival was not unexpected.
The ride, and the rain which set in
half an hour before reaching the
hotel, fully prepared everybody for
the elegant lunch which had been set,
and ample justice was done to the Of
fered viands. AT the table the HER
AIDS reporter noted the following
citizens who accompanied the
Board. Mayor Workman, Judge
Van Dyke, A. NJ. Lawrence,
Eugene German, w. II. Bonsall, J..
w. Green, Colonel II. e. Otis, l. H.
Polk, Ex-Governor Stoneman, General
Miles, Colonel II. H. Boyce, John r.
Briefly, Judge E. M. Ross, A. W.
Francisco and j. Frankenfield. Al
ter lunch Mayor Workman called
upon Eugene German for few re-
marks on the climate, soil and advan-
tages of Southern California. Mr..
German replied by calling upon Gen
eral Miles, who responded briefly as
follows:
'If can say anything that will add
to the comfort of the many homeless
soldiers, l will gladly do so. Ii there
is any class of men that | feel like
taking my hat off to in reverence it is
to the soldier who spent the best part
of his life in defending his country.
There should be three such Homes
like the one proposed to be estab-
lished in California, west OF the Rocky
mountains. People generally would
be surprised to know how many
homeless soldiers there are on the
Pacific slope. l have seen hundreds
of them toiling with pick
and shovel in the mountains
of Idaho, Washington Territory
Oregon, California and Arizona, but
Mt present these COMMISSIONS are
interested in only one and | will say,
though l am not as familiar with the
locality as some here, that l consider
this an excellent location, taking into
consideration the climate, land, alb
sence of contagious diseases, and
adaptability of the land for agricul-
tural pursuits.
II j. a fact worthy of the considera-
ton of these gentlemen that the line
of coast country where one may lind
a congenial and equitable climate and
good bathing is very limited indeed,
and while do not wish to discrim-
innate. | will state that here the sew
eral desirable features are found and
cannot be excelled anywhere.
Ex-Governor Stoneman was called
upon and responded briefly. He
Thought the Pacific coast could be
divided into three distinct climatic
sections: Oregon and Washington
Territory cold, Northern California
mild. Southern California perpetual
summer. The last section he liked
best, and in that section Los Angeles
county bore the palm.
Upon the conclusion OF luncheon the
party took special train for this city,
where they arrived about half-past 4
o'clock, tired and damp, but never
the less pleased with tne apPearahoe
of the country. The visiting guests
were driven to the Nadeau
where they remained until
time for the departure OF their train
for San Diego. They were accom-
panied to the train by Mayor Work
man and Judge Van Dyke, and while
none of them would give a decisive
answer as to whether the Home was
likely to come to Los Angeles, ye'
they expressed themselves as belnt
very favorably impressed with the
locations offered. they thanked
Mayor Workman very heartily Tor TN
courtesies and attention which nae
been paid them, and instructed HIN
to convey their thanks TO the othe
gentlemen who had aided IN givinI
Them such a pleasant twenty-fou